Destination Search
-
The UK's largest accessible holiday specialist
-
Guaranteed accessible accommodation
-
Many properties personally audited
-
Flights, adapted transfers & equipment hire
Disabled Christmas city breaks
Rome / Prague / Barcelona / New York / Copenhagen / Lisbon / Brussels
Get away from it all this Christmas with a festive break to one of the world’s most magical cities
A city break is a wonderful way to spend the Christmas holidays. Whether you want to take advantage of fantastic shopping opportunities, fewer crowds at major attractions, or just embrace the spellbinding, seasonal atmosphere, there are loads of destinations to choose from, and lots of options for convenient, accessible accommodation.
We’ve picked out some of the best city breaks for a perfect Christmas away from home, all with links to our range of accessible places to stay.
Please note: Christmas breaks need to be booked in advance, so don’t delay. Get in touch with one of our representatives, who will be happy to help, on 0161 260 2218 or submit an enquiry.
Rome
Christmas is a fantastic time to visit Rome, when the city embraces both the celebratory and spiritual aspects of the season.
There are a range of Christmas markets to visit, as well as many nativity scenes dotting various churches and town squares, with the largest being the life-size recreation at St Peter’s. The square and adjoining basilica are packed on Christmas Eve, when Midnight Mass draws tens of thousands of worshippers from around the world. The Mass always has a special atmosphere and serves as the perfect ceremonial introduction to Christmas, for both devotees and interested onlookers alike.
Rome’s selection of Christmas markets offers the perfect opportunity to stock up on souvenirs and seasonal gifts. The biggest market is held on Piazza Navona, in the centre of the city. Here vendors sell sweets, chestnuts, artisanal crafts and artwork, while festive holiday rides and live performers keep shoppers well entertained.
An added bonus of visiting Rome at Christmas is that its main sights are remarkably free of crowds, allowing you to explore them at your own pace. Many of the best attractions are accessible to the disabled, including the Coliseum, Pantheon, Baths of Caracalla, Domus Aurea, St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums. There are also numerous accessible tours available to the most popular sights.
Prague
With its iconic Christmas markets, nativity scenes, and the chance of snow accentuating its already-picturesque rooftops, the fairytale city of Prague is even more enchanting at Christmas.
The main draws are its Christmas markets, the two largest of which take place on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, in the historic city centre. These sell all kinds of Czech treats, like trdelnik, sweet pastries topped with sugar and walnuts; roasted ham; klobása grilled sausages; mulled svařák wine; and plenty of local beer. To complete the jolly mood there’s an ice rink at Wenceslas Square, a nativity petting zoo at Old Town Square, and kids signing carols in traditional costumes at both.
There are plenty of other things going on away from the markets as well. The city’s opera and classical music season is in full swing over Christmas, with the works of greats like Mozart, Vivaldi, Wagner and Prague’s own Antonin Dvořák enthralling patrons. Alternatively, why not pay a visit to the wheelchair-accessible Prague Zoo? It has a special festive programme that’s great for kids and adults alike, and includes a meet-the-animals event where you can bring the residents Christmas gifts.
Barcelona
Barcelona is a city that knows how to celebrate in style at Christmas, when it’s bathed in illuminations and populated by delightful markets, ice rinks, fairs and nativity scenes.
Some of the most impressive light displays are located on the central Plaza de Catalunya – where you’ll find the main nativity and a towering Christmas tree – and on the chief shopping streets of La Rambla and Portal de l’Angel; however, you should also make time to visit the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, which puts on spectacular free evening light and water shows throughout the season.
You can get a real taste of authentic Barcelona at one of the city’s Christmas markets, the largest of which is Fira de Santa Llúcia, located in the Gothic Quarter, next to Barcelona Cathedral. Here you can browse hundreds of stalls selling all manner of carved nativity figures, jewellery, Christmas decorations and the region’s cheerful yule log figurines, known as Tío de Nadal.
The Christmas calendar also showcases some of Barcelona’s best musical performances, including Handel’s Messiah at the Basílica de Santa María del Mar church, and the traditional St Stephen’s Day concert at Palau de la Música Catalana, on Boxing Day.
We can also book accessible tours and transfers for your trip to Barcelona.
Browse Barcelona accommodation
New York
The setting of many an iconic Christmas movie, New York is one of the world’s most instantly recognisable yuletide destinations – and it’s just as enchanting in reality as on the silver screen.
As you might expect, there’s loads to see and do here during the festive season, from bustling Christmas markets to traditional concerts, thrilling light shows, and plenty more in between.
Top attractions include Rockefeller Plaza, home to the city’s largest Christmas tree – whose annual switch-on at the end of November is watched by millions worldwide. The plaza remains a popular destination throughout the winter, due to its famous ice rink, while Rockefeller Tower itself offers wheelchair-accessible guided tours to its summit, where you can enjoy stunning views of the sparkling cityscape.
Elsewhere you’ll encounter several enticing Christmas markets, all offering a unique experience. The largest can be found at Bryant Park, which has over 150 stalls, as well as its own (free) ice rink; and Union Square, where loads of goods created by local craftsmen and artists are on sale.
If you’d prefer to keep warm while you do your shopping, then head to the famous Macy’s department store and check out the elaborate Santaland, a 13,000-square-foot holiday display of Christmas trees, elves and toy trains that delights children (and grown-ups) of all ages.
Copenhagen
Christmas in Copenhagen encapsulates that specifically Nordic brand of cosiness known as hygge, thanks to a warm and welcoming wintertime atmosphere (as well as plenty of hot gløgg wine!).
Nowhere is it more evident than at Copenhagen’s world-renowned theme park, Tivoli Gardens. One of the oldest theme parks in the world, the wheelchair-accessible Tivoli becomes even more magical at Christmas, when it’s draped with millions of twinkling lights and enhanced by the scents of cinnamon, roasted almonds and mulled wine from its Christmas market.
There are plenty of other markets around the city, too, with the biggest and best at Nyhavn – Copenhagen’s picture-postcard quayside with its colourful shop fronts. Here you can buy a wide range of traditional Christmas decorations, gifts, jewellery and knickknacks, as well as authentic Danish refreshments like aebleskiver, a type of fluffy spherical pancake.
Another popular choice is the Hans Christian Andersen market, at Nytorv, where the stalls are all named after the famous Danish author’s fairytales and laden with thousands of Christmas lights. Ice-skating rinks are big here as well. A local favourite is the one at Frederiksberg Runddel, which is beautifully decorated and adjoins the majestic Frederiksberg Gardens.
Browse Copenhagen accommodation
Lisbon
For a festive break in slightly milder climes, Lisbon is a great choice. The Portuguese capital has its own unique feel at Christmastime, when the traditional seasonal trappings of northern Europe blend with its distinctive local flavours.
There are plenty of events to seek out, such as the Wonderland Lisboa Christmas village, held on the sprawling Parque Eduardo VII, in the city centre. A combination of a Christmas market and fun fair, it’s home to an ice rink and Ferris wheel, as well as festively dressed reindeer, camels and, of course, Santa Claus himself.
You’ll come across some smaller, more traditional markets elsewhere in town, such as the one at Campo Pequeno. Here, you’ll find books, toys, food, pottery, jewellery and more – all of it made in Portugal. Make sure to sample some authentic bolo-rei, a traditional Portuguese Christmas cake stuffed with raisins and topped with crystallised fruit.
The most impressive seasonal displays are located at the harbour-side Comercio Square, where every year the tallest Christmas tree in Portugal is illuminated. The square boasts yet more market stalls and a spectacular music and laser show.
Brussels
Easily accessible via Eurostar, Brussels is a convenient, cultural city that’s perfect for a dazzling winter break.
The city’s main Christmas event is the Winter Wonders festival, which takes place all through December and into January. Located on the Grand Place and branching out onto several other city squares, it contains over 200 chalets from all over Europe, selling regional delicacies like glühwein, waffles, spicy speculoos shortbread, hot chocolate and jenever gin – not to mention loads of homemade arts and crafts, seasonal stocking-fillers and Christmas decorations.
In addition to the markets there’s an eye-catching illuminated Ferris wheel, a large ice rink, traditional choirs and a nightly light and laser show to keep visitors entertained. What’s more, the adjoining streets are home to some of the city’s best shopping districts, so you’ll have no shortage of time to stock up on all manner of Christmas gifts.
If you want some time away from the crowds, winter is also ideal for visiting some of Brussels’ most important attractions, such as the Belgian Museum of Fine Arts, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and the Atomium – all of which are wheelchair-accessible.
Book with the UK's Favourite 
For exceptional service, fantastic prices and a holiday that meets all your needs, book with DisabledHolidays.com – the UK's largest accessible holiday specialist!
